Sport

Zamora is the key to Fulham's resurgence

Fulham 3 Burnley 0: IT HAS taken some weeks but Fulham have at last rediscovered their swagger

SACHIN NAKRANI at Craven Cottage
Wed Feb 10 2010 - 00:00

Fulham 3 Burnley 0:IT HAS taken some weeks but Fulham have at last rediscovered their swagger. The side has been in stuttering form ever since they thrashed Manchester United 3-0 at this ground just before Christmas and with injuries mounting, some wondered if they would be able to repeat such an eye-catching trick again any time soon. Those fears can now, however, be laid to rest. Roy Hodgson's men may have only beaten Burnley last night but the job was done in wholly impressive style.

Key to the victory was Bobby Zamora, once a figure of frustration for Fulham supporters but now undoubtedly their hero. On his return from illness, the striker terrorised Burnley and having created the second goal for strike partner David Elm, got the third himself after half-time.

The scoring was opened by Danny Murphy following a brief flurry from Burnley that suggested they could be about to secure their first away win of the season. Fulham, though, stamped on those dreams.

After further early Burnley pressure Fulham pushed forward and on 23 minutes took the lead. Nicky Shorey swept a pass towards David Elm at the edge of the area who, in turn, headed the ball into the path of Murphy. The Fulham captain was under pressure but showed enough composure to poke the ball past goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

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The visitors suddenly found themselves being overwhelmed. Dickson Etuhu and Zamora both came close before Elm struck with a close-range shot on 31 minutes. It was the Swedish striker’s first goal for the club since arriving here last month.

Zamora had a great chance to open his account five minutes into the second half but his low, curling shot was saved by Jensen. That proved to be a warning shot as on 54 minutes he found a way past the Dane with a free-kick from the edge of the area. Once again the effort was low and swerving, but strong enough for him to secure his 12th goal of the season.

GuardianService

FULHAM: Schwarzer, Shorey, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird, Duff (Riise 77), Etuhu, Murphy, Davies (Greening 62), Elm, Zamora (Okaka 71). Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Nevland, Smalling. Booked: Etuhu.

BURNLEY: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Cort (Eagles 32), Edgar, Elliott (Cork 56), Bikey, McDonald, Fox, Fletcher, Nugent (Paterson 76). Subs not used: Weaver, Duff, Blake, Thompson.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).